New Delhi/ Jaipur: Under the able leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to achieve the vision of the Modi 3.0 Government, a pre-budget consultation meeting was held in New Delhi today with the objective of 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Rajasthan'. The meeting was chaired by the Union Finance Minister, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman in view of the forthcoming Union Budget 2024-25. Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, Smt Diya Kumari presented the development proposals and issues related to Rajasthan to the Union Finance Minister.
Smt Diya Kumari urged for an early solution to the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP). She also put forth the proposal for further strengthening the 'Jal Jeevan Mission’ and requested support from the Centre for this project. Rajasthan's Finance Minister also presented the case of 3 major pending rail projects for the State, which will provide connectivity to remote areas. She also urged for the construction of national highways in the State, which will strengthen surface transport. She said it was important for the State to have a network of roads for connecting the far-off and remote villages. This will enable these places to be a part of the mainstream for development.
Smt Diya Kumari also said that Rajasthan requires appropriate energy development in view of its agriculture, industries and infrastructure development. She said the union intervention was necessary for Rajasthan to become self-reliant in the energy arena. She also requested the Union Finance Minister to provide special assistance to the energy companies in the State, so that their potential could be fully utilised. After hearing the suggestions and demands of Rajasthan's Finance Minister, the Union Finance Minister assured that all the demands of Rajasthan would be considered favourably for facilitation.
Also present in the meeting were the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Mr Akhil Arora and Secretary, Mr Debasish Prusty.